Grossman hopes to cash in 'chip'

Bears quarterback Rex Grossman says it's there for all to see -- that chip resting on his right shoulder.

Reed Schreck

Rex Grossman says it's there for all to see -- that chip resting on his right shoulder.

"Striving to prove myself in this league and get myself over that hump, or whatever, to become a great quarterback in this league consistently," he said Saturday at Halas Hall.

Kyle Orton got the reps with the first team Friday. Saturday was Grossman's turn, as they will continue to alternate.

Neither quarterback threw an interception on the first day of the three-day veteran minicamp that concludes today. They remained even Saturday, although neither was pleased to have suffered three apiece.

Grossman was picked off by safety Mike Brown on a ball that glanced off tight end Greg Olsen's hands early on. Then defensive end Alex Brown reached up and grabbed a screen pass and linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer intercepted his next attempt.

Orton was victimized by corner Trumaine McBride and then later on consecutive passes by Hillenmeyer and linebacker Jamar Williams.

"I'm still there, working as hard as I can to get there, and there's a lot in front of me," Grossman said. "But I feel I can handle everything that's thrown at me."

That includes getting only half the reps with the first team that he got last season, when he was annointed the starter from the outset.

"This is my sixth year. I've had plenty of practice reps," said Grossman, who signed a one-year contract in the offseason. "I'm not worried about getting practice reps. I know I'm going to get a lot.

"When I'm in there, I'm just competing and trying my best."

That means working with a lot of new receivers, such as Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker.

"It's fun to get the timing down with the new corps of receivers, and see what they can do," Grossman said.

As for what Grossman wants to improve on, he didn't leave anything out.

"I need to get better in all areas of the game," he said. "Building on experience is the big thing. I've played 30-some games now. I've got a lot of tape to watch. I'll build on what I do well and learn from the mistakes."

And use that chip as motivation.

"This is a great team, a great organization," he said. "I got a chance to compete to start. If that happens, I have a great chance to have a good season.

"There's a lot of things the Chicago Bears provide for me. I like being a part of this team. That was one of the biggest reasons I came back, plus a familiarity with the team and everything about it.

"It just made sense at that time to stay."

Head coach Lovie Smith says his rotation system "is the only fair way to evaluate."

"We'll let each have the opportunity to work with the 1's. That will go right up until the preseason games and go from there.

"Ideally, we'd like to have someone in place going to the last week of preseason. We'll let it play out. If it's not clear then, we'll go right up until."

Reed Schreck is the NFL writer for the Rockford Register Star. Reach him at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.